cannabisnews.com: Proof and Prejudice
Proof and Prejudice
Posted by CN Staff on February 25, 2005 at 14:28:43 PT
By David Borden, DRCNet
Source: AlterNet
If marijuana use in the distant past is not relevant to judging President Bush, his hypocrisy on the drug issue is very relevant. Years after candidate George Bush's non-answers to questions about his possible drug past fueled controversy and a sense that he indeed had such a past, proof for some of it at least has at last emerged. Taped excerpts from a conversation, released by the author of a new book, reveal the future president essentially admitting to past marijuana use and explaining why he would never acknowledge it in public.
On one level, the educated reaction to this news is something along the lines of, "So what?" Tens of millions of Americans have used marijuana during their lives. It wasn't a big deal for most of them. Even the more dangerous drugs aren't a problem for most of their users – that's not the strongest argument for legalization of them, but it's true. All the more so for marijuana. Bill Clinton used marijuana. Al Gore used marijuana. It did not and should not have disqualified them from the nation's top job. Nor does it disqualify George Bush.On other levels, however, the information is troubling, for two reasons. One is that candidate Bush criticized his opponent, Al Gore, not for having used marijuana but for having admitted to it. "I want to lead," he explained on the tapes, and "I don't want some little kid doing what I tried." He couldn't criticize Gore for having used drugs because he had also used drugs. So instead he criticized him for being open and truthful.There is a level on which one could legitimately hold that it is counterproductive for kids to be keenly focused on the drug use of famous role models; this is an area on which reasonable people can hold varying points of view. But the way to accomplish that would be through legalization and treating private drug use as not a big deal. And that is not what George Bush has advocated.Which leads us to the second reason, one of hard policy. As governor, Mr. Bush escalated sentences for some drug offenses, putting other people in prison for longer time periods for things that he himself had done or supported. As president, under his authority the federal government has targeted medical marijuana cooperatives, escalated the war on pain doctors, campaigned against drug policy reform initiatives or legislation, promoted drug testing and vastly overreaching drugged driving laws, gone to court against any reform to drug policy that it could no matter how modest.So if marijuana use in the distant past is not relevant to judging the president, hypocrisy on the drug issue is very relevant. And if not being open or candid about one's own youth is not exactly the same as lying to children, it verges on that. Not to suggest that his predecessor and failed opponents have stellar records on the issue by any means; they most certainly don't. But they're not president right now.So if it is unimportant that George Bush used marijuana, it is kind of sad that he opposes honesty about it. And it is very sad that he continues to support cruel and repressive drug policies – policies which could have ruined his life if they had been in place back then, but realistically only in theory.I am glad, therefore, that now there is proof of George Bush's drug use. If only by providing one more bit of rhetorical ammunition, it will make it slightly harder for the drug warriors to continue to escalate their pogrom against the American people. David Borden is executive director of DRCnet. -- http://www.drcnet.org/Source: AlterNet (US)Author: David Borden, DRCNetPublished: February 25, 2005Copyright: 2005 Independent Media InstituteContact: letters alternet.org Website: http://www.alternet.org/DL: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/21360/Related Articles:Bush Gets Stoned By The World Mediahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20284.shtmlBush Keeps Dodging As Addicts Rot in Jailhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20275.shtmlNew Tapes Say Bush May Have Smoked Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20266.shtml Secretly Taped Conversations - New York Timeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20265.shtml
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 27, 2005 at 15:00:50 PT
Just a Note
I removed my post because it was way off topic even for me.There I feel better.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 14:15:28 PT
afterburner
I knew that's what you meant. I didn't want you think otherwise. I love the Moody Blues. We have a DVD when they performed at Royal Albert Hall. It's wonderful.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 13:33:04 PT
I'm Very Fussy
When it comes to music. I like Neil Young because he loves his family. He loves the earth and kindness. He is self confident but he isn't arrogant. In one of the Greendale Live performances someone yelled out something and he came back harshly. Then he paused and said that it wasn't fair of him because he has the bully pulpit. I thought that was very nice to say and surely it wasn't necessary.
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Comment #18 posted by afterburner on February 26, 2005 at 13:23:58 PT
FoM and BGreen
That's why I was so surprised that "Journey to the center of your mind" involved Ted Nugent.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 13:18:56 PT
BGreen
I don't listen to his music if I know it is his. That's sad but I think he is arrogant, loves killing critters and doesn't appreciate the culture that made rock and roll so great if that makes sense?
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Comment #16 posted by BGreen on February 26, 2005 at 12:42:58 PT
Nugent
Nugent says he never used "drugs" and he says he had no idea the song "Journey To The Center Of Your Mind" was about "drug use."Nugent sailed right through the introduction of psychedelics in the sixties, the fastest transformation of a music style in modern history which dramatically changed the sound of rock and roll (and in my opinion improved it immensely) in less than five years.Of course, nobody in the band ever talked about anything with poor, self-righteous Theodore "clueless" Nugent.His cover-up lies sound as implausible as the shrub's.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 11:49:38 PT
Ted Nugent
Oh my I don't like him. LOL! I heard him say one time fast food is a mallard duck!
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Comment #14 posted by afterburner on February 26, 2005 at 11:42:14 PT
Amboy Dukes
They were basically one-hit wonders. They did have an album though, now on CD but currently unavailable: http://tinyurl.com/4b3wyTed Nugent of the Detroit rock scene was the lead singer. He went on to have a successful solo career, including such hits as "Cat Scratch Fever." His solo style is more heavy metal than psychedelic. I was surprised that "Journey to the center of your mind" was done by his group; it sounded like the Moody Blues to me.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 11:28:07 PT
afterburner
I know the song now. My husband sang a few bars of it for me and now I remember. That is a good song.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 11:25:23 PT
afterburner
I don't know the group but the lyrics are so very good. I can't find any news that is worth pushing the news that is already posted down so we are just taking it easy since it's Saturday. We are watching Red Rocks Live with Neil Young, Friends and Relatives Tour in 2000. Music DVD's are so good and can help you forget about how bad things are. At least it puts them on a back burner for a little while which is something we all need to do for peace of mind I believe.
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Comment #11 posted by afterburner on February 26, 2005 at 11:15:24 PT
FoM
Thanks. You have mail.Journey To The Center Of The Mind -
The Amboy Dukes http://tinyurl.com/3srvq"Leave your cares behind
Come with us and find
The pleasures of a journey to the center of the mindChorus:
"Come along if you care
Come along if you dare
Take a ride to the land inside of your mind
Beyond the seas of thought
Beyond the realm of what
Across the streams of hopes and dreams where things are really not[repeat chorus]"But please realise
You'll probably be surprised
For it's the land unknown to man
Where fantasy is fact
So if you can, please understand
You might not come back[repeat chorus]"How happy life could be
If all of mankind
Would take the time to journey to the center of the mind
Would take the time to journey to the center of the mind
Center of the mind
(echo: the mind, the mind)"
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 07:59:35 PT
afterburner
I read your post last night but it was late and wanted to let you know that I thought it was very good.
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Comment #9 posted by afterburner on February 25, 2005 at 22:06:36 PT
The Ten Commandments of Bush ;
ExitUS 20:1-17 1 And BUSH spoke all these words:
2 "I am the BUSH your God, who brought you out of employment, into the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me and no talking back. 4 "You shall make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below as long as BUSH or the American flag is in the image. 5 You shall bow down to them or worship them; for I, the BUSH your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. You are either for me or against me. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the BUSH your God, for the BUSH will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it busy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the BUSH your God. On it you shall do twice as much work, you, and your son and daughter, and your manservant or maidservant, and your animals, and the alien within your gates, who does not deserve a driver's license. 11 For in six days the BUSH defeated the Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, from the sea, and all that is in them, but he played golf on the seventh day. Therefore the BUSH blessed the Sabbath day and made it busy. 12 "Turn in your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the BUSH your God is giving you. 13 "You shall murder. The death penalty is good. War is good for peace. 14 "You shall commit chastity. Sex is unclean. 15 "You shall steal. Confiscate the property of all evil-doers, that is potheads. 16 "You shall give false testimony against your neighbor if that lie protects the children from the evils of marijuana. 17 "You shall covet your neighbor's house. You shall covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, and anything that belongs to your neighbor. Evil medical marijuana users do not deserve to own property. Confiscate it all."--with apologies to Moses and to the real God.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 25, 2005 at 18:14:29 PT
Dankhank
Enjoy!
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Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on February 25, 2005 at 18:09:10 PT
Rust
got it running now ... thanx ...........On Topic ... gee that's OT also ...I guess I will have to email the governor ...Peace ........
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 25, 2005 at 16:50:34 PT
siege
Thank you! I appreciate that a lot!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 25, 2005 at 16:49:10 PT
Dankhank and Anyone Interested
Rust Radio is now online for the weekend.http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rust/message/119572
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Comment #4 posted by siege on February 25, 2005 at 16:14:39 PT
Ohio
Ohio Drugged Driving Bill Hits Speed Bumps in House After Quick Senate Approval http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/376/ohiobill.shtmlThe best we can hope for from human government is eventual tyranny. The great experiment in the efficacy of a federal republic has now become an oligarchy, and the people will one day cry for a king or the equivalent, a dictator. They will get their wish, perhaps before they ask. And additional chaos. Rats leave a sinking ship to drown in the sea anyway if the ship didn't run aground close to land. People run to the leaders of government to be drowned in the sea of corruption and tyranny. Same story, different creatures.
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Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on February 25, 2005 at 15:12:06 PT
Today I said the same thing ...
at the local newspaper office to the Asst managing editor, who shrugged apologetically asking what he should do?I said we must talk about it, even though, as he pointed out, his supporters have their heads in the sand.sheer unadulterated hypocracy of the first kind.shame on all who cage humans for using "unapproved" recreational substances ...
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 25, 2005 at 14:36:12 PT
The Marijuana Logues
http://www.marijuanalogues.com/home/
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 25, 2005 at 14:33:53 PT
Tommy Chong Cancels Tour
Big News Network.com Saturday 26th February, 2005 (UPI) -- Tommy Chong has canceled the national tour of The Marijuana-Logues on orders from his parole officer, the Los Angeles Times said Friday.The comedian recently served nine months in federal prison for selling drug paraphernalia. He told the newspaper that his permit to appear in the drug-themed show has been revoked.I can't be in places where substances are being sold or used, Chong said.When he performed the play in New York, no drugs were in evidence. But when he played in Chicago last Saturday, he told the Times, the whole place looked like a Tommy Chong smoke-out.Chong complied with a requirement of his parole that he report the incident to his parole officer -- who decided to revoke his permit for the show.Chong said he was booked to do the show at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills into December. The paper said people who have bought tickets to the Wilshire engagement will receive refunds.Chong and his long-time comedy partner Cheech Marin recently announced that they are in the final stages of writing a screenplay, and hope to begin filming on a new movie in time to release it some time this year.
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=2173ab2ef783fffc
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